ok lets settle this: Jimi and the plectrum

Did Jimi Hendrix play the guitar with or without a plectrum/pick... I was under the impression he played without

He plays with a pic. It's very difficult to have that playing speed and precision with fingers only.

Try watching some videos on youtube, you'll see that his hand is shaped like he's holding a pick


By the way, happy birthday to him, it was Nov 27

He plays with a pic. It's very difficult to have that playing speed and precision with fingers only.

hmm yeah I was beginning to wonder how he managed to hit every tone right. I've been playing without a pick all this time... I'm going to try it tomorrow.

Trust me, it's easier with a pick because it's a lot easier to hit stray strings with you're fingers, though it's easier to navigate the strings with fingers

only problem is that I'm used to playing without a pick now. I have a playing style that's evolved from playing without a pick... hopefully I'll learn fast

Let's solve another problem. In videos I often see him playing while holding it up to his mouth. Is he strumming the guitar with his teeth and how is that possible to do well?

Hmmm, apparently they had to roll the posts back a bit... so here's mine again!

Yes, the most certainly did play with his teeth!

It's actually all too possible really, so long as you fret at the same time as you pluck (bite?) the strings; and in this way you can play with anything thats of the right shape really.

As for the pick itself, it really is a huge amount easier when it comes to strumming, and I think you'll find playing certain chords (mainly power chords!) a lot better with a pick.